The 2023 NFL season is poised to showcase a mix of established stars and emerging talent across all 32 teams. Defensive standouts such as Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are already creating a splash in the league. At the same time, players like Patrick Mahomes are making their mark and laying the foundation for its future. This article examines the best and worst rosters in the NFL, highlighting key players and their contributions to their teams.
Since entering the league in 2019, no one has been more impactful than Brian Burns. In his short career, he’s already seventh in NFL history with a dominant 54.5 sacks. His unreasonable tenacity to get after the quarterback has helped to make him one of the league’s best edge rushers. Kayvon Thibodeaux has the most promise of the edge rushers but is presently tied for 21st with 17.0 over the last two years. This performance showcases his upside of becoming a true difference maker in development.
As a final teaser, look out for linebacker Abdul Carter! The New York Giants selecting him with the third overall pick in April’s draft. His selection speaks volumes about how serious the team is taking the effort to improve their defense with younger players. As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to watch how Carter’s talents translate to the pro game.
Quarterback Performance
The quarterback position stays crucial in the NFL, with Patrick Mahomes doing nothing but leading to spectacular evidence of being the best on the industry. Over the past two seasons, he ranked eighth in QBR as a pressured quarterback, evidence of his ability to work magic when things go south. Notably, Mahomes has not finished lower than sixth in QBR throughout the past five seasons, underscoring his reliability as a top-tier quarterback.
He propels his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, to a Super Bowl championship with gaudy statistics. That same talent has proven to be the bedrock of their own success. Even as he writes a new legacy for himself as the leader of an NFL dynasty, the expectations are still sky-high for Mahomes.
Defensive Standouts
On the defensive side of the ball, the story is much the same. Hines-Allen’s 25.5 total sacks rank sixth in the league over the last two seasons. At the same time, Walker is right behind him in 12th place, with 20.5 combined sacks. Their contributions are further evidence of the growing importance placed on pass rushers in today’s NFL.
T’Vondre Sweat emerged as a standout rookie, earning PFF’s 13th-highest grade among 89 qualified defensive tackles. His strong showing establishes an encouraging starting point for what the future may hold for him in the league. Myles Garrett has been tearing it up on the field! He leads the NFL with more than 60 pass rush wins and has posted more than 12 sacks in five consecutive years.
One of the league’s elite cornerbacks, Sauce Gardner, battled injuries last season but remains highly regarded for his skills on the field. Only a season after being unanimous for first-team All-Pro in 2022, he became a consensus as the most feared top defender in 2023.
Consistency and Longevity
After all, consistency is the hallmark of continuing success in the NFL. Deforest Buckner good luck trying to go IN deforest Buckner bucket. In his eight-year career, he has notched more than 550 snaps and 6.5-plus sacks for seven consecutive seasons. His continued performance underscores his value as a reliable go-to player on that end of the floor.
Additionally, with Brandon Stephens the leader in defensive snaps played for the Ravens over each of the past two seasons. His grit and attitude on the field makes him an integral part of Baltimore’s defensive plan.
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